The MotoGP World Championship concluded last weekend with the Valencian Grand Prix, and with a new title winner in Marc Marquez. His neighbors in Cervera, Lleida, took to the streets to celebrate upon the champion’s return, decorating the town with the name and number of the Repsol rider to provide a hero’s welcome.

Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Sauber F1 drives during qualifying for the United States Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nico Hulkenberg is still the big player at the tail-end of the 2014 driver ‘silly season’.

Actually, as recently as Sunday in the Austin paddock, most insiders now expected that Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado’s PDVSA millions had resulted in a done deal for the most competitive race seat still vacant on next year’s grid.